Sunlight peered through the large windows past purple curtains. The light tickled my face and danced around my head. A moment later my eyes sprung open as I sat up. Quickly looking around, I found myself in what looked like an old European-style bedroom. Large windows lined the far side of the room, with two French doors in the middle. A sitting area with an ornate coffee table surrounded by two couches called the upper far left corner of the room home. Behind the sitting area were white vanity, chair, an oversized armoire, and a white wooden door. Across the room from the window was a larger white door with potted plants on either side. The bed I’m sitting in is in the middle of the right wall across from the vanity. It’s at least a queen, with light purple sheets and an overhead canopy, that has a clear fabric hanging down.

Feels like I have a hangover (not that know what’s that like). I start to crawl out from under the covers, and when my feet touch the floor, I realize I’m not wearing socks. I was wearing socks when I fell through the center of the earth. That was wasn’t the only thing that changed, the clothes I was wearing were replaced with a nightgown, and my hair was undone. Letting my plain rust color hair hit the bedsheets.

The creepy realization hit me that someone changed my clothes! Knowing that a stranger might have done it makes me want to give someone a knuckle sandwich. Standing up, my knees and ankles buckle, and I hit the ground face first.

“Shit!”, I say as hit the ground. As I start trying to pick myself up off the ground, I hear footsteps and voices from the other side of the large white door. My eyes open wide as the door swings open. A woman with dark brown hair in an old-timey maid’s outfit comes through that door followed by more people dressed in the same uniform.

I was sitting on my knees at this point when the first women get on her knees and asked in a slow voice,

“Miss are you alright? Can you understand me?”

I could feel my veins pop, and my eyes narrow. I was making a face that said, “Do you think I’m deaf? Or just plain stupid?”

When she saw my face, she jumps a bit and her face clearly convey a horrified expression of repentance. It was like she thought that I was going to eat her or something. They all just stared at me waiting to see what I would do. I took a deep breath and asked,

“Where am I? Where’s Hana?”

The woman cleared her throat and straightened her clothes as she got up and replied,

“You are in the emerald palace, my lady.” She clenched her hands and bit her lip. “As for this Ha-na person, you will have to ask his majesty.” She continued.

“His majesty?” I said in a confused ruff voice, the only royal I know is an old lady that likes to drink tea.

“Yes, his majesty. She asked to see you as soon as you awake.” She replied, seeming to have got her confidence.

Before I could ask anything else they took me by the arms and hustled me into the vanity chair. They preceded to attempt to pull my hair out (Brush it), Splash cold water on my face, strip me, and change my clothes so fast that Broadway would be impressed and not just any clothes ether. I’m talking full European drab, medieval torture device (corset) and all.

After the room stopped spinning, I found myself in front of a full-length mirror, that they had to of brought in cus it wasn’t there before. They had put me in a plain pale blue dress that had no details at all and put my hair back into a ponytail. I couldn’t even take a breath before they rushed me out the door and down the hall.

Rushing through hallways highlighted in green and gold. I was brought before another white door. It’s like they ran out of paint colors or just really like the color white.

“The Lady has awakened and has come for an audience as requested.” The maid called to the people on the overside of the door. A low man’s voice replied,

“Enter.”

The maid gave me the side-eye and gestured for me to go in. I hesitated at first, I didn’t who was in that room or what they wanted (they could want me dead for all I know!), but I also realized that I need answers and the person on the other side of the door could give those to me. So, I reluctantly entered the room.

Inside was not one, but five people. A well dress man and woman sat on a long couch, and a girl, about my age, was seated on an armchair. Two armed men stood by either side of the couch (I assume their guards of some sort). There was an empty armchair across from the girl and a coffee table separated all the seats.

“Come sit.” Order the man as he sat back in the chair. I made my way to the empty armchair and took my seat.

“Introduce yourself.” He continued. My hand twitched, I could feel a sense of hate in his voice, instinctively I replied.

“You first.”

The women and guard’s eyes grew wide, their jaws dropped. While the man himself remained silent, his expression hidden.

I knew I was in trouble, but I started this and will see it through. “I don’t know who you are or what you want, but I DO know that one Should introduce themself before asking another for their name.” I continued.

All the other people in the room were silent. He remained motionless for a few moments, then replied,

“I am Argyurios Von Humbaba the fourth and current reigning monarch of this land.” He said with a calm stern voice.

Well, that’s not what I expected. Just so you know I’m not talking about him being a king, anyone with eyes could tell you that. He’s wearing jewels the size of golf balls and cloths made of fine cotton, with no imperfections. What surprises me is that he answered me at all. He could have blown me off and had me beheaded on the spot. So, maybe there’s hope that I could get some answers from him.

“My name is Rue Callisto.” I said looking him in the eye. He doesn’t break eye contact replying,

“I see, Lady Callisto, I know you have many questions, and we will try to answer them. So, feel free to ask as many questions as you desired.”

Hundred of thousands of questions race through my head, but only one of them is significant.

“Where’s my sister Hana? She fell through that hole with me, and we got separated, have you seen her?” My voice was frantic, I tried to calm it but it wouldn’t stop shaking.

Hesitating, he replies, “Yes, I’ve seen her, but she is no longer here.” His eyes hang low, and he stares at the ground.

“What do you mean she’s not here?!” I ask as my voice slowly gets louder. He clears his throat, and instead of answering my question he asks,

“Do you know what that girl is?”

He could tell that I was puzzled at his question.

“So, you don’t know do you?” He continued.

“Know what?” I asked, I was getting incredibly anxious.

“Allow me to tell you a tale, a tale older than this or any world and in it, you will find the answer. Not the answers you want, but the answers that you can’t avoid.”

It seemed like this was a wronging. And indeed, it was, a warning that I wouldn’t take, but change not only my life but Hana’s as well.